ATTRACTING NEW PLAYERS –
“So What Is So Great About Tennis?”
Peter Farrell
Leinster Development Officer.
• IN ORDER TO RECRUIT NEW PLAYERS, AND RETAIN EXISTING PLAYERS,
WE NEED TO MARKET THE BENEFITS OF TENNIS.
• THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS TO THE GAME THAT WE CAN USE AS
MARKETING TOOLS.
.....................................................................
PHYSICALLY, PLAYING TENNIS DEVELOPS YOUR: aerobic fitness, speed, leg strength,
gross and fine motor control, agility, dynamic balance, coordination and flexibility.
PSYCHOLOGICALLY, PLAYING TENNIS DEVELOPS YOUR ABILITIES TO: manage mistakes
and adversity, solve problems, plan strategically, work as part of a team, win and lose
graciously, accept responsibility.
SOURCE: Dr Jack Groppel, United States Tennis Association.
BENEFITS OF TENNIS FOR YOUNGER PLAYERS: “Tennis has a social and educational role
whereby it can positively contribute to a players personal well-being as well as instill an
appreciation of societal values”:
VALUES
SOCIAL
INDIVIDUAL
Respect
Cooperation
Social Interaction
Friendship
Teamwork, group cohesion
Competitiveness
Tolerance
Fairness
Gender equality
Constructive challenge/competition
Creativity
Enjoyment
Personal Challenge
Self-discipline
Self awareness and control
Achievement, adventure and risk
Sportsmanship, honesty, integrity
Hard work, dedication, commitment
Independence
Time management
Moral reasoning and ethical behaviour
Leadership
Decision making
Toughness/courage
Self esteem
SOURCE: (adapted from) `ITF Tennis Psychology` Manual (2006).
BENEFITS OF TENNIS FOR ADULTS:
“The health of veteran tennis players is improved by enhanced aerobic capacity,
greater bone densities in specific regions, lower body fat, greater strength, and
maintained reaction time performance in comparison with age matched but less
active controls”.
SOURCE: British Journal of Sports Medicine 40 (2006).
“Activities that reduce the risk of cognitive decline that can come with aging include
playing tennis twice a week”.
SOURCE: American Academy of Neurology (2001)
THE THREE KILLER DISEASES IN IRELAND:
SOURCE: National Cancer Registry, Ireland.
1. HEART DISEASE
2. CANCER
3. DISEASES OF THE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
“In tennis players there is one “Higher levels of physical
third
to
a
half
less activity reduces the risk of “Tennis
increases
lung
function/lung flexibility”.
cardiovascular disease than cancer”.
in non tennis players”.
SOURCE:
U.S.
Surgeon SOURCE: Journal of Sports
Medicine and Physical Fitness
SOURCE: American Journal of Generals Report 2004.
46 (2006).
Medicine 112 (2002).
OTHER CURRENT HEALTH ISSUES:
OBESITY
DIABETES
Average female in an hour playing singles “Tennis twice a week decreases glucose
burns 420 calories.
(sugar) levels in the blood”.
Average male in an hour playing singles SOURCE: Babette Pluim, ITF Medical
Commission.
burns 600 calories.
SOURCE: Cleveland Clinic Heart Centre.
“People who participate in tennis 3 hours per week (at moderately vigorous intensity)
cut their risk of death in half from any cause, according to physician Ralph
Paffenbarger, who studied more than 10,000 people over a period of 20 years”
SOURCE: Dr. Jack Groppel, USTA.
TENNIS `VERSUS` OTHER SPORTS:
SPORT CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE SPORT TENNIS FOOTBALL- RUGBY BASKET
Soccer/
BALL
GAA
GOLF
GYM
CAN BE PLAYED FOR A
LIFETIME?
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
EASY FOR FAMILIES TO
PLAY/COMPETE TOGETHER?
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
CAN BE PLAYED WITH/AGAINST
MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE
SEX?
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
DEVELOPMENTS IN EQUIPMENT
HAVE MADE GAME EASIER TO
ENJOY/SUCCEED AT?
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
DEVELOPS MANY PHYSICAL
ATTRIBUTES USEFUL IN OTHER
AREAS OF LIFE?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
PROVIDES A COMPLETE BODY
WORK OUT?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
CAN BE PLAYED ON `SHORT
NOTICE` AND OVER A SHORT
PERIOD OF TIME?
Yes
No
No
No
Yes?
Yes
PARTICIPANTS LEARN TO
COMPETE `ONE ON ONE`?
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
IS PLAYED ALL OVER THE
WORLD?
Yes
Yes
(soccer)
No (GAA)
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
(bigger, lighter racquets)